# Law No. 4268 of October 19, 1963

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648323](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648323)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4268-of-october-19-1963

## Summary
Law No. 4268 of October 19, 1963 (Lei nº 4268/1963) is a Brazilian federal statute that authorizes the extension and improvement of the BR-92 highway in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Approved during the presidency of João Goulart, the law specifically mandates the paving and prolonging of the highway segments connecting Pelotas, Chuí, and Passo Fundo. As a formal written document, it serves as the statutory manifestation of the government's decision to expand regional infrastructure under the authority of the Ministry of Transport.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 4268, de 19 de outubro de 1963
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4268/1963
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil)
- **Date of Publication:** October 19, 1963
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Approving Official:** João Goulart (via promulgation)
- **Determination Method:** Promulgation
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Main Subject:** Extension of highway BR-92 (Pelotas, Chuí, Passo Fundo) in Rio Grande do Sul
- **Involved Agency:** Ministry of Transport of Brazil (stated as "Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas")
- **Lexml ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-10-19;4268
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4268.htm
- **Classification:** Instance of a "statute" (a formal written document that creates law)
- **Copyright Status:** Public domain (as an edict of government)
- **Wikimedia Project:** Listed on the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What specific infrastructure does Law No. 4268 authorize?**
The law authorizes the prolongation and extension of the BR-92 highway within the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Specifically, it addresses the segments connecting the cities of Pelotas, Chuí, and Passo Fundo.

**Who enacted Law No. 4268 of 1963?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It was promulgated by President João Goulart on October 19, 1963.

**Where can the official text of Law No. 4268 be found?**
The official text is available online at the Brazilian Presidency's legislation portal (planalto.gov.br) and is indexed in the Lexml system under the ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-10-19;4268`.

**Is Law No. 4268 subject to copyright?**
No, as a statute and an official government edict, it is in the public domain. This aligns with the "edict of government doctrine" observed in jurisdictions like the United States and France, which holds that official legal documents are not copyrightable.

**What ministry is responsible for the projects authorized by this law?**
The law references the "Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas," which corresponds to the modern Ministry of Transport of Brazil.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4268 is significant as a concrete example of federal infrastructure planning in Brazil during the early 1960s, specifically targeting the southern region's connectivity. By authorizing the extension of the BR-92—a critical route linking the municipality of Chuí on the Uruguayan border to interior cities like Pelotas and Passo Fundo—the law facilitated economic integration and improved transportation logistics in Rio Grande do Sul. The statute demonstrates the formal legal mechanisms (statutes) used by the Brazilian government to delegate authority and allocate resources for public works, ensuring that such initiatives are grounded in statutory law. Furthermore, its preservation in public databases like Lexml and Planalto ensures that the legal mandate remains accessible and transparent, reinforcing the principle that laws governing public infrastructure should be freely owned by the public.

## Notable For
- **Infrastructure Authorization:** Specifically targets the extension of the BR-92 highway, a key federal route in southern Brazil.
- **Geographic Scope:** Focuses on distinct municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, including the southernmost city of Chuí and the economic centers of Pelotas and Passo Fundo.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the presidency of João Goulart, prior to the 1964 military coup.
- **Legal Classification:** A precise instance of a "statute," serving as a manifestation of statutory law.
- **Digital Preservation:** Indexed in the Lexml Brazil system and available via the official Presidency portal, ensuring digital longevity and access.
- **Public Domain:** Exemplifies the class of government documents exempt from copyright restrictions.

## Body

### Legal Nature and Classification
Law No. 4268 is classified formally as a **statute**, defined as a formal written document that creates law. As a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule," it functions as the tangible manifestation of statutory law. Unlike abstract legal concepts, this entity is the concrete legal act that grants specific permissions. Structurally, it is composed of legal norms and follows the process of legislation, transforming from a draft law into an official record. Like other statutes, it holds a public domain status in jurisdictions such as the United States and France, meaning it is not subject to copyright restrictions under the edict of government doctrine. This ensures the text is freely accessible to the citizens it governs.

### Authorization and Scope
The primary function of the law is the authorization of infrastructure development. The text explicitly "AUTORIZA O PROLONGAMENTO DA RODOVIA BR 92" (Authorizes the extension of Highway BR-92). The scope of this authorization is geographically defined within the state of Rio Grande do Sul ("ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL").
- **Specific Locations:** The law lists "Pelotas," "Chuí," and "Passo Fundo."
- **Nature of Work:** It involves the "prolongamento" (extension) and "ampliação" (increase/expansion) of the road.
- **Jurisdiction:** It applies to a "Trecho" (section/part) and "Municipio" (municipality).
The law identifies the "Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas" (Ministry of Transport and Public Works) as the main subject responsible for executing these tasks.

### Promulgation and Publication Details
The law was enacted through the constitutional process of **promulgation**.
- **Date:** October 19, 1963.
- **Executive Authority:** The Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **President:** João Goulart.
The document was officially published in **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil. The language of the work is **Brazilian Portuguese**. It is legally cited as "Lei nº 4268/1963" and carries the Lexml Brazil identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-10-19;4268`.

### Jurisdictional Context: Brazil
This law applies to the **Federative Republic of Brazil**, the largest country in South America and the world's fifth-largest nation by area (approximately 8.5 million km²).
- **Government:** Brazil is a federal republic with a presidential system and representative democracy.
- **Capital:** The law was published in Brasília, which has been the capital since April 22, 1960 (moving from Rio de Janeiro).
- **Independence:** Brazil declared independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822.
- **Constitution:** The country operates under the Constitution of Brazil, effective October 5, 1988, though Law No. 4268 was enacted prior to this under the previous constitutional framework.
- **Legislative Body:** Laws like this are processed by the National Congress of Brazil (Federal Senate and Chamber of Deputies).
- **Geography:** The infrastructure authorized by this law is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which borders Uruguay and Argentina. Brazil shares borders with almost every South American nation, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

### Demographic and Economic Background
The law impacts regions within a country of approximately 213.4 million people (2025 estimate).
- **Ethnic Composition:** The 2010 census noted a diverse population including White (47.7%), Pardo (43.1%), African (7.6%), Asian (1.1%), and Indigenous (0.4%) Brazilians.
- **Economy:** Brazil has the largest economy in Latin America, with a nominal GDP of approximately $1.92 trillion USD (2022). It is a major global producer of agricultural products like soybeans, coffee, and sugarcane.
- **Currency:** The law utilizes the currency context of the Brazilian real (BRL), though the real was introduced later in 1994; at the time of enactment in 1963, the currency was the Cruzeiro.
- **Development:** Brazil has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.754 (2021), classifying it as having "high human development."

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
The authorization of the BR-92 extension fits into Brazil's broader infrastructure context.
- **Transport:** The country relies heavily on road networks, though railway development has historically been limited.
- **Energy:** Infrastructure projects often intersect with energy needs, such as the Itaipu Dam (one of the world's largest hydroelectric plants).
- **Municipalities:** The law affects specific municipalities like Pelotas and Chuí. Chuí is notable for being on the southern border, while Pelotas is a major urban center. The improvement of "Rodovias" (Highways) is critical for connecting the vast territory of Brazil, which spans time zones from UTC-02:00 to UTC-05:00.

### Identification and Metadata
The entity is cataloged in various knowledge systems to ensure proper identification and retrieval:
- **Wikidata:** Included in the focus list of "WikiProject Brazilian Laws."
- **Online Availability:** The work is available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4268.htm`.
- **Standardization:** It follows the pattern of Brazilian federal legislation (Lei Ordinária).
- **Semantic Web:** As a statute, it is equivalent to the `https://schema.org/Legislation` class in structured data.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-10-19;4268)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4268&ano=1963&data=19/10/1963&ato=506c3Zq50MVRVTd08)
3. LexML Brasil